Fire-lighter.



H. O. BADDLBY.

FIRE LIGHTER. APPLICATION FILED APR. 24. 1908.

Patented June 1, 1909.

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UNITED STAT -l FATNT FFEE.

FIRE-LIGHTER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June l, 1909.

Application filed April 24, 1908. Serial No. 429,045.

T o all 'whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, HENRY O. BADDLEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Salt Lake City, in the county of Salt Lake and State of Utah, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fire- Lighters, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to fire lighters.

One object of the invention is to provide a device capable of automatically igniting a fire at a predetermined time.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a fire lighter embodying such characteristics that it may be operated automatically through the instrumentality of a clock or other timing device to effect a positive lighting of the fire without the presence of an attendant.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in the combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that changes may be made in form, proportion, size and minor details without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof.

In the drawings 2-Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of the invention in operative condition except for its connection with a clock or other timing device. Fig. 2 is an end view with the knob of the plunger removed, illustrating the device in operative condition in full lines and in its discharge condition in dotted lines. Fig. 3 isa view similar to Fig. 1 showing the parts in firing condition. Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view on the line a-a of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a face view of the catch.

Referring now more particularly to the accompanying drawings, the reference' character 1 indicates a tubular member having its opposite ends open and one end slotted, as indicated at 2 to provide an opening for the flame of the match when the device is operated, there being a plug 3 disposed in the slotted end of the tubular member so that it may be removed when desired and provided with an opening 4 to receive a match 5, for a purpose presently explained. The opposite endof the tubular member 1 is externally screw threaded to receive the internal threads of a cap 6 provided with a bore 7 and a radial flange 8 having a transverse screw 12, the latter being reduced at one side so that the trigger arm 11 may fit between the outer face of the cap 6 and the catch and also to provide oppositely disposed shoulders 13 and 14 with which latter the trigger arm is adapted to engage interchangeably for the purpose hereinafter understood.

Removably but rigidly fitted within the tubular member 1 near its slotted end is a match striking element 15 which is preferably tubular in form and whose outer end is tapered and projects in between the slotted portions of the tubular member 1 and which is also slotted as indicated at 16 to provide spring fingers 17, the inner faces of the spring lingers 17 being serrated or otherwise roughened, as indicated at 18, to provide an abrasive surface to insure the striking of the match 19 carried in the tubular member 1 and which is adapted to be forced through the tubular striking element 15 and between the fingers 17 of the latter in the operation of the device.

The match 19 is supported within the tubular member by inserting its inner end into a socket 20 of the head 21 of a plunger rod 22 which latter projects through the opening 7 of the cap 6 and which has reciprocation therethrough and within the tubular member 1. The plunger rod 22 is provided with a notch 23 adapted to receive the catch 12 to hold the plunger rod against operation, there being a helical or other spring 24 encircling` the plunger rod 22 between its head 21 and the cap 6 to insure an automatic inward movement of the plunger rod 22 to effect a quick projection of the match 19 through the striking element 15 Whenever the catch 12 is released from the notch 23 of the plunger rod. The plunger rod 22 is provided with a knob 25 by which the former may be moved against the action of the spring 24 to position the knob 23 of the plunger rod in alinement with the catch 12.

To place the match 19 in the socket 2O of the head 21 of the plunger rod, the catch 12 is released from the notch 23 and the cap 6 removed from the tubular member. The rod 22 and the spring 24 are then removed from the tubular member 1. The match 19 is then placed in the socket 2O and the plunger rod and spring replaced. The cap 6 is then screwed upon the tubular member 1 and the notch 23 of the plunger rod 22 .brought into cooperation, whereby the spring 24 is compressed and readyT to force the plunger rod 22 inwardly of the tubular member immediately upon the release of the catch 1.2 from the notch 23. Wl hen the match 19 is forced through the striking element 15 it is ignited and engages the match 5 whereby both matches are lighted and a larger' flame insured than would be likely to result from the ignition of a single match.

From the foregoing, it will be understood how the device is set up for operation, and in order to operate it automatically, l provide the trigger arm l11 with a perforation 26 mits upper end in which l connect a wire, cord or the like 27, which has connection at its opposite end with the alarm winder 28 of a clock 29. rlhus the trigger arm 11 moves upon the pivot bolt 10 independently of the catch 1.2, and when all is in readiness for operation, the trigger arm rests preferably against the shoulder 14 of the catch 12. When the alarm of the clock strikes, the cord, wire or the like 27 is moved to shift the trigger arm 11 to a perpendicular position, when the weight 30 of the trigger arm 11 will carry the latter beyond dead center and into engagement with the shoulder 13 of the catch, causing the latter to be moved upon its pivot 10 and out of the notch 23 of the plunger rod 22. As soon as the catch 12, which is eccentrically mounted upon the pivot bolt l0,

moves out of the notch 23 of the plunger rod,

the compressing spring 24 automatically forces the plunger rod forwardly, causing the match 19 to pass through the striking element 15 and become ignited as hereinbefore stated and for the purposes herein explained.

The tubular member 1 may be placed b`e neath the grate of a heater (not shown) and supported in any suitable manner.

The one match 19 only may be employed, if desired, instead of two matches referred to, and the trigger arm may be disposed against either shoulder to fall against the opposite shoulder, according to the location of the 'heater or the clock.

What is claimed is 1. A fire lighter comprising a tubular member having one end slotted to provide openings, a match igniter including a cylindrical portion confined rigidly within the tubular member at its slotted end, a spring actuated plunger rod mounted for reciprocation in said tubular member and having a socket in one end to receive the match, said plunger rod also having a notch intermediate its ends, a catch for engagement in the notch of the plunger to hold the latter against the tension of its spring, and means for shifting the catch out of said notch.

2. In a fire lighter, a tubular member, a match igniting device carried by the tubular member, a spring actuated plunger rod mounted for reciprocation in the tubular member with its inner end always confined within the latter and said plunger rod having a socket to receive a match, said plunger also having a notch intermediate its ends, a catch eccentrically mounted and adapted for engagement in the notch of the plunger to hold the latter against the action of its spring, and means for shifting the catch upon its pivot out of said notch of the plunger to permit of movement of the latter under the tension of its spring to force the match through said igniting device.

3. In a fire lighter, a tubular member, an igniting device mounted in the tubular member, a plunger rod mounted in the tubular member, said plunger rod having a socket in one end to receive and carry a match, and having a notch intermediate its ends, a spring encircling the plunger rod to force the latter inwardly of the tubular member and the match through said igniting device, a catch mounted to move into the notch of the plunger rod to hold the latter against the tension of said spring, said catch having one side reduced to form a pair of shoulders, a trigger arm mounted upon the pivot of said catch and normally in engagement with one of said shoulders of the latter, and means constructed and arranged to shift the trigger arm into engagement with the other shoulder ofthe catch to effect a movement of the catch out of the notch of the plunger rod to permit of a longitudinal movement of the plunger' rod under the tension of said spring.

4. In a device of the character described, a tubular member having one end slotted to provide openings, a bushing fitted in the slotted end of the tubular member and having a bore to receive and support a match, an igniting device mounted in the tubular member and having one end tapering and provided with slots to form yieldable fingers, the outer ends of the fingers being serrated, a spring controlled plunger rod mounted in the tubular member and provided with a head having a socket to receive a match, the plunger rod also having a notch intermediate its ends, a cap fitted upon the end of the tubular member opposite its slotted end and provided with a bore to embrace said plunger, a catch pivotally mounted upon said cap for engagement in said notch of the plunger rod to hold the latter against the action of its spring, said catch having oppositely disposed shoulders, an arm normally in engagement with one of said shoulders of the catch, and means having connection with said arm whereby the latter may be moved into en'- gagement with the other shoulder of the catch to effect a movement of the catch out of said notch of the plunger rod to permit of an inward movement into the tubular member of the plunger rod and a consequent forcing of the match carried by the plunger rod through said igniting device between the lingers of the latter and in engagement With said serrated faces of the fingers to effect a lighting of the match and the consequent lighting of the iirst mentioned match, Whereby the lame from the ignited matches may pass through the openings formed by the slotted end of said tubular member.

5. In a device ofthe character described, a tubular member having one end slotted to provide openings, means mounted at one end of the tubular member and constructed to receive and support a match, an igniting device mounted in the tubular member, a spring actuated plunger rod mounted for reciprocation in said tubular member and having means at one end to receive and support a match, means constructed and arranged for engagement with the plunger to hold the latter against the tension of its spring, and means for shifting the aforesaid means out of engagement with the plunger.

6. In a device of the character described, a tubular member having one end slotted to provide openings, means mounted at one end of the tubular member and constructed to receive and su port a match, an igniting device mounted in the tubular member, a spring actuated plunger rod mounted for reciprocation in said tubular member and having means at one end to receive and support a match, said plunger rod also having a notch intermediate its ends, a cap eccentrically mounted lfor engagement in the notch of the plunger rod to hold the latter against the tension of its spring, and means for shifting the cap out of said notch.

In testimony whereof I a'HiX my signature, in presence of two Witnesses.

HENRY O. BADDLEY.

Vitnesses GEO. J. SILVER, HARRIETT B. CANNON. 

